Fresh dispense cleaning product

ABSTRACT

The invention is a cleaning product for use with a cleaning applicator, such as a sponge mop, a squeegee, and various other applicators. The product provides an applicator bath holding a rinse fluid for rinsing the applicator. The product facilitates a range of cleanliness levels by discarding contaminated rinse fluid and replenishing the rinse fluid with clean fluid as often as the user requires, in order to meet the desired level of cleanliness.

The invention is a cleaning product for use with a cleaning applicator;for example a rag, a sponge, a string mop, a sponge mop, a squeegee, andvarious other applicators.

The product can be utilized in a cleaning process where a fluid istransferred to the applicator in order to facilitate cleaning an objectwith the applicator. In such a process, the applicator is rinsed in thefluid and then applied to the object to be cleaned. The applicator picksup dirt and other contaminants from the object and then the dirt,contaminants, and residual fluid are separated from the applicator anddiscarded. Finally, the applicator is rinsed in fresh fluid and theprocess is repeated.

The product maintains a volume of rinse fluid for transferring to theapplicator. The rinse fluid can be substantially wholly discarded andthen replenished with clean fluid whenever a user determines that therinse fluid is sufficiently contaminated by prior contacts with theapplicator. The rinse fluid is replenished from a reservoir of cleanfluid.

The product provides superior flexibility by enabling the user to selectan acceptable level of rinse fluid contamination, in accordance with thenature of the object being cleaned and the degree of cleanlinessrequired. For example, cleaning floors in a hospital can require a morestringent degree of cleanliness than cleaning floors in a departmentstore.

For more stringent cleanliness requirements, the rinse fluid can bediscarded after each transfer of rinse fluid to the applicator. When theproduct is used in such a manner, the object to be cleaned is lesslikely to be re-contaminated by a dirty applicator.

When a lesser degree of cleanliness is required, the rinse fluid can beused to rinse the applicator more than one time.

The product can adapt to a range of different cleanliness requirementsby enabling the user to discard and replenish the rinse fluid as needed.

The product can be utilized in various other processes where the processcan benefit from the improved cleanliness and superior flexibilityprovided by the product.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product with the reservoir in araised position.

FIG. 3A is a section view across line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing theapplicator bath in the fill mode.

FIG. 3B is a section view showing the applicator bath in the empty mode.

FIG. 4 is a scaled section view showing the fluid dispenser with theapplicator bath in the fill mode.

FIG. 5 is a scaled section view showing the fluid dispenser with theapplicator bath in the empty mode.

FIG. 6A is a scaled section view showing the barrier fluid dispenserwith the applicator bath in the fill mode and the barrier open.

FIG. 6B is a scaled section view showing the barrier fluid dispenserwith the applicator bath in the fill mode and the barrier closed.

FIG. 6C is a scaled section view showing the barrier fluid dispenserwith the applicator bath in the empty mode.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the product.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the product.

The product has a waste receptacle for holding discarded fluid. Thewaste receptacle can have various sizes and shapes so long as thereceptacle can hold fluid discarded from the applicator and from theapplicator bath.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the waste receptacles 40, 40A,and 40B, respectively, are bucket-type receptacles with the upperportion of the bucket providing a support structure for other elementsof the product.

In other embodiments, the waste receptacle can have various other forms,such as a bottle and other types of containers, so long as thereceptacle can hold the discarded fluid until the receptacle is emptied.

The receptacle can have means for emptying the discarded fluid from thereceptacle. For example, the receptacle can have a drain positioned tofacilitate emptying the discarded fluid.

Alternatively, inverting the receptacle and allowing the discarded fluidto run out can empty the receptacle. Various other means and methods canbe utilized for emptying the waste receptacle.

The waste receptacle can have wheels and casters for enhancing mobility.The receptacle 40 has casters, such as the caster 44.

The product has a reservoir for holding clean fluid. The reservoir isused to replenish the applicator bath with clean fluid.

The fluid can be water, soap, cleaning solvent, and various fluids andcombinations thereof as may be preferred for the cleaning process.

The reservoir can be removable for easy filling, for example, fillingfrom a faucet and from a hose.

As shown in FIG. 1, the product 10 has a reservoir 20. The reservoir 20is a closed-top reservoir and closes via a cap 21. In other embodimentsof the product, the reservoir can be an open-top reservoir.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 40 provides a mounting structure forthe reservoir 20. The reservoir 20 fits substantially inside thereceptacle 40. The reservoir 20 is positioned in the receptacle by ashelf 41 that can be formed into the receptacle. The reservoir 20 isfurther positioned in the receptacle by a rib 42 that can be formed intothe receptacle.

In other embodiments of the product, the reservoir can be positionedoutside of the receptacle and the reservoir can be spatially separatedfrom the reservoir.

The reservoir can have a first reservoir component and a secondreservoir component. The first reservoir component and the secondreservoir component are functionally interchangeable with the reservoir.

For example, the reservoir can utilize a first reservoir component forholding soap and a second reservoir component for holding water.

The product has an applicator bath for holding a rinse fluid fortransferring to the applicator by rinsing. The bath receives clean fluidfrom the reservoir and retains the fluid as rinse fluid for rinsing theapplicator.

The bath has a fill mode and an empty mode. The bath is switchablebetween the fill mode and the empty mode.

The bath in use in the fill mode holds the rinse fluid for rinsing theapplicator. The bath in use in the empty mode discards the rinse fluidto the waste receptacle.

The product 10 has an applicator bath 30 positioned within thereceptacle 40 proximal the reservoir 20. An applicator, such as thesponge mop 80, can be rinsed with the rinse fluid in the bath 30.

The bath 30 is pivotally connected to the receptacle via pivot pins,such as the pivot pin 32. The pivot pins extend from the bath throughreceptacle pivot holes, such as the pivot hole 43. The bath 30 switchesbetween the fill mode and the empty mode by rotating.

The bath 30 is positioned so as to discard the rinse fluid into thereceptacle 40 when the bath is switched from the fill mode to the emptymode by rotating.

In FIG. 3A, the applicator bath 30 is shown in the fill mode.

In FIG. 3B, the bath 30 is shown after being rotated-to the empty mode.

In other embodiments the bath can be switched between the fill mode andthe empty mode by various means.

For example, the bath can have a discharge valve that opens to enablefluid in the bath to discharge into the receptacle.

Alternatively, the bath can utilize a grid panel that can alternatebetween a non-porous position and a porous position to switch betweenthe fill mode and the empty mode, respectively.

Various other means for discarding the rinse fluid from the bath can beutilized so long as the bath holds the rinse fluid when in use in thefill mode and discards the rinse fluid to the receptacle when in use inthe empty mode.

The product can have an actuator for switching the bath between the fillmode and the empty mode. The actuator can be a manual actuator; forexample a hand-operable actuator and a foot-operable actuator.

The product 10 has a foot-lever actuator 50. The actuator 50 comprises apedal 52 rotatably connected to the receptacle 40 via an actuator shaft53. The shaft 53 is fixed to an actuator gear 51. The shaft 53 and theactuator gear 51 rotate as one about the shaft 53.

The actuator gear 51 engages a bath gear 33. The bath gear 33 is fixedto the bath 30. The bath 30 and the bath gear 33 rotate as one.

When the actuator 50 is rotated; for example by depressing the pedal 52,the interacting actuator gear 51 and bath gear 33 cause the bath 30 toswitch between the fill mode and the empty mode.

FIG. 3A shows the product 10 with the bath 30 in the fill mode holdingthe rinse fluid.

FIG. 3B shows the product 10 with the foot-lever actuator 50 depressedand the bath 30 rotated to the empty mode, the bath having discarded therinse fluid into the receptacle 40.

Various actuators can be utilized for switching the bath. Mechanicallinkages, springs, cables, pulleys, electrical actuators such assolenoids and motors, magnetic actuators, pneumatic, hydraulic, andvarious other actuators can all be utilized. In FIG. 8, the product 10Bhas an actuator 50B that can be operated by hand and operated by foot.

Alternatively, the actuator can be an automatic actuator. The automaticactuator can be adapted to switch the bath at predetermined intervals,for example after each transfer of fluid to the applicator and after apredetermined number of transfers.

Alternatively, the bath can have no actuator. When no actuator ispresent, the bath can be switched by hand and by utilizing at least apart of the applicator to switch the bath. In FIG. 7, the bath 30 isshown being rotated to the empty mode by utilizing the sponge mop 80.

The product has a fluid dispenser for dispensing clean fluid from thereservoir to the bath. The dispenser is fluid-wise connected to thebath.

The dispenser controls the transfer of clean fluid from the reservoir tothe bath and facilitates replenishing the rinse fluid when the rinsefluid level in the bath falls below a predetermined level. The dispensercan be manually activated by the user.

Alternatively, the dispenser can be an automatic dispenser thatautomatically dispenses the clean fluid to the bath when a rinse fluidlevel in the bath falls below a predetermined range. For example, whenthe rinse fluid in the bath is discarded to the waste receptacle, therinse fluid level in the bath falls below the predetermined range andthe dispenser can automatically dispense the clean fluid from thereservoir into the bath until the rinse fluid level reaches thepredetermined range.

Similarly, after fluid is transferred from the bath to the applicator,the rinse fluid level in the bath can fall below the predeterminedrange. When it does, the dispenser can automatically dispense cleanfluid into the bath until the rinse fluid level reaches thepredetermined range.

As shown in FIG. 2, the product 10 has an automatic dispenser 60positioned at a lower portion of the reservoir 20.

In FIG. 4, the dispenser 60 is shown in use with the bath in the fillmode. The dispenser 60 has a valve 61 positioned within a valve seat 63.The valve 61 has a stem 62 extending from the valve through the seat.

With the bath in the fill mode, a bath collector 31 contacts the valvestem 62 and raises the valve 61 above the seat 63 thus exposing a drainhole 64 in the seat. When the drain hole 64 is exposed, the clean fluiddispenses from the reservoir to the bath 30.

In FIG. 5, the dispenser 60 is shown in use with the bath in the emptymode. When the bath 30 switches to the empty mode, the bath collector 31moves away from the valve stem 62. The valve 61 drops into contact withthe seat 63 to block the drain hole 64 and to stop the clean fluid fromdispensing to the bath 30.

The dispenser 60 functions most effectively with a closed-top reservoir,such as the reservoir 20. With the bath in the fill mode and the drainhole exposed by the valve, the clean fluid automatically dispenses fromthe dispenser until the rinse fluid level reaches the drain hole. Whenthe rinse fluid level reaches the drain hole, the reservoir is unable todraw air through the drain hole and the clean fluid stops flowing fromthe reservoir through the dispenser into the bath.

Other types of dispensers can function effectively with open-topreservoirs. For example, a float-activated dispenser can effectivelydispense clean fluid from the reservoir to the bath as needed tomaintain the rinse fluid level within a predetermined range.

Alternatively, some types of dispensers can function effectively withboth open-top and closed-top reservoirs.

Alternatively, the dispenser can be moisture-activated,temperature-activated, and have various other methods and combinationsthereof for dispensing fluid so long as the dispenser can dispense theclean fluid to the bath when the fluid level falls below a predeterminedrange.

Alternatively, the dispenser can be manually activated.

The dispenser can have a first dispenser component and a seconddispenser component. The first dispenser component and the seconddispenser component are functionally interchangeable with the dispenser.

For example, the first dispenser component can be connected to the firstreservoir component and dispense fluid from the first reservoircomponent. Similarly, the second dispenser component can be connected tothe second reservoir component and dispense fluid from the secondreservoir component.

The dispenser can have a mixer for combining fluid dispensed from thefirst dispenser component with fluid dispensed from the second dispensercomponent. The mixer can be adjustable to separately control thedispensing of fluid from the first dispenser component and thedispensing of fluid from the second dispenser component.

Alternatively, the dispenser can have a mixer for combining air andother gasses with the fluid dispensed from the reservoir.

The dispenser 60 is positioned at the reservoir 20 and dispenses fluiddirectly to the bath 30. Other embodiments of the product can have thedispenser spatially separated from the reservoir. For example, thedispenser can be distal the reservoir and fluid-wise connected to thereservoir via a tube, a pipe, and by various other open and closedconduits.

Similarly, the dispenser can be distal the bath and fluid-wise connectedto the bath via a tube, a pipe, and by various other open and closedconduits.

The dispenser can have a barrier for isolating the clean fluid in thereservoir from the rinse fluid in the bath when the clean fluid is notdispensing to the bath. A barrier can prevent diffusion and backwash ofrinse fluid, from the bath into the reservoir, that could contaminatethe clean fluid in the reservoir.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, show a dispenser 60A that has a barrier.In the dispenser 60A the barrier is a buoyant disk 66 that encircles thevalve stem 62 and a return spring 65 biasing the valve towards the seat.The return spring is not required for the barrier function. The returnspring is not required for the function of the valve. The rinse fluid isnot shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C.

In FIG. 6A, the dispenser 60A is shown with the bath 30 in the fill modeand the rinse fluid level below the predetermined range. In FIG. 6A, thecollector 31 has moved the valve 61 away from the drain hole 64,enabling the clean fluid to dispense from the reservoir to the bath. Thebuoyant disk 66 is positioned distal the valve 61.

In FIG. 6B, the rinse fluid level has reached the predetermined rangeand the buoyant disk 66 has risen with the fluid level until the buoyantdisk 66 is contacting the valve seat 63 and the buoyant disk 66 isblocking the drain hole 64.

By blocking the drain hole, the buoyant disk prevents the rinse fluid inthe bath from contaminating the clean fluid in the reservoir.

The barrier of dispenser 60A function most effectively with a closed-topreservoir.

Other types of dispensers can have barriers that can functioneffectively with open-top reservoirs.

Alternatively, some types of dispensers can have barriers that canfunction effectively with both open-top and closed-top reservoirs.

Various types of barriers can be utilized to isolate the reservoir fromthe applicator bath. For example, some float-activated dispensers canprovide barriers for both open-top reservoirs and closed top reservoirs.Various other dispensers that inherently provide barriers are well-knownin the art

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 each show a different embodiment of the product.

As shown in FIG. 7, the product 10A can be used for household cleaning.The receptacle 40A does not have casters and can be somewhat smallerthan the receptacle 40. The receptacle 40A has a handle 45A tofacilitate moving the product. The reservoir 20A is removable forfilling and emptying.

The product 10A does not have an actuator for switching the bath betweenthe fill mode and the empty mode. As shown in FIG. 7, the bath 30 can beswitched by hand and by using the applicator, for example the sponge mop80.

As shown in FIG. 8, the product 10B can be used for window cleaning. Thereceptacle 40B has a handle 45B to facilitate moving the product. Thereservoir 20B is removable for filling and for emptying.

The product 10B has an actuator 50B for switching the bath between thefill mode and the empty mode. The actuator 50B can be foot-operable andhand-operable.

The receptacle 40B has a receptacle grid 46 to facilitate removingresidual fluid from the applicator, such as the squeegee 81.

Other embodiments can utilize various means for removing residual fluidfrom the applicator. For example, the product 10 can have a wringerconnected to the receptacle to facilitate removing fluid from a stringmop-type applicator.

1. A cleaning product for use with a cleaning applicator such as a rag,a sponge, a string mop, a sponge mop, a squeegee, and various otherapplicators, the product comprising: a waste receptacle for holding adiscarded fluid separated from the applicator; a fluid reservoir forholding a clean fluid; an applicator bath for holding a rinse fluid fortransferring to the applicator by rinsing, the bath having a fill modeand an empty mode; the bath in use in the fill mode holding the rinsefluid for rinsing the applicator; the bath in use in the empty modediscarding the rinse fluid to the waste receptacle; the bath beingswitchable between the fill mode and the empty mode as needed to controlcontamination of the rinse fluid; a fluid dispenser for dispensing theclean fluid from the reservoir to the bath; the dispenser beingfluid-wise connected to the reservoir; the dispenser in use dispensingthe clean fluid from the reservoir to the bath as needed to maintain therinse fluid in the bath within a predetermined volumetric range; and theproduct, in use being configured so that the fluid separated from theapplicator can be discarded directly to the waste receptacle withoutpassing the fluid through the applicator bath and without disconnectingthe reservoir from the dispenser.
 2. The cleaning product of claim 1wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a barrier for isolatingthe clean fluid in the reservoir from the rinse fluid in the bath whenthe clean fluid is not dispensing to the bath.
 3. The cleaning productof claim 1 further comprising: an actuator for switching the applicatorbath between the fill mode and the empty mode.
 4. The cleaning productof claim 1 wherein the applicator bath switches between the fill modeand the empty mode by rotating.
 5. The cleaning product of claim 1wherein the fluid reservoir in use is positioned above the wastereceptacle and the applicator bath in use is positioned between thefluid reservoir and the waste receptacle.
 6. The cleaning product ofclaim 5 wherein the waste receptacle in use supports the fluid reservoirand the applicator bath.
 7. The cleaning product of claim 6 wherein theapplicator bath is pivotally connected to the waste receptacle andwherein the applicator bath switches between the fill mode and the emptymode by rotating.
 8. The cleaning product of claim 3 wherein theactuator is foot-operable.
 9. The cleaning product of claim 3 whereinthe actuator is hand-operable.
 10. The cleaning product of claim 1wherein the reservoir is a closed-top reservoir.
 11. A cleaning productfor use with a cleaning applicator such as a rag, a sponge, a stringmop, a sponge mop, a squeegee, and various other applicators, theproduct comprising: a waste receptacle for holding a discarded fluidseparated from the applicator; a fluid reservoir for holding a cleanfluid; an applicator bath for holding a rinse fluid for transferring tothe applicator by rinsing, the bath having a fill mode and an emptymode; the bath in use in the fill mode holding the rinse fluid forrinsing the applicator; the bath in use in the empty mode discarding therinse fluid to the waste receptacle; the bath being switchable betweenthe fill mode and the empty mode as needed to control contamination ofthe rinse fluid; a fluid dispenser being fluid-wise connected to thereservoir; the fluid dispenser comprising: a valve, the valve in usesensing when the applicator bath is in the fill mode; the valve in usesensing when the applicator bath is in the empty mode; the valve in usewhen the applicator bath is in the fill mode causing the fluid dispenserto dispense clean fluid to the applicator bath as needed to maintain therinse fluid in the applicator bath within a predetermined volumetricrange; the valve in use when the applicator bath is in the empty modecausing the fluid dispenser to stop dispensing fluid to the applicatorbath; and the product in use being configured so that the fluidseparated from the applicator can be discarded directly to the wastereceptacle without passing through the applicator bath.
 12. The cleaningproduct of claim 11 wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises abarrier for isolating the clean fluid in the reservoir from the rinsefluid in the bath when the clean fluid is not dispensing to the bath.13. The cleaning product of claim 11 further comprising an actuator forswitching the applicator bath between the fill mode and the empty mode.14. The cleaning product of claim 11 wherein the applicator bathswitches between the fill mode and the empty mode by rotating.
 15. Thecleaning product of claim 11 wherein the fluid reservoir in use ispositioned above the waste receptacle and the applicator bath in use ispositioned between the fluid reservoir and the waste receptacle.
 16. Thecleaning product of claim 15 wherein the waste receptacle in usesupports the fluid reservoir and the applicator bath.
 17. The cleaningproduct of claim 15 wherein the applicator bath is pivotally connectedto the waste receptacle and wherein the applicator bath switches betweenthe fill mode and the empty mode by rotating.
 18. The cleaning productof claim 13 wherein the actuator is foot-operable.
 19. The cleaningproduct of claim 13 wherein the actuator is hand-operable.
 20. Thecleaning product of claim 11 wherein the reservoir is a closed-topreservoir.